January 28, 1547 - Edward VI Ascends to the Throne

Throughout the mid-16th century, the royal family repeatedly switched its allegiance between Catholicism and Protestantism. While King Henry VIII surely became unaligned with the Church in Rome, the Church of England also avidly opposed Protestantism. Edward VI, King Henry’s son, took the throne on January 28, 1547, and was an outspoken protestant. Edward’s half-sister Mary I returned the monarchy to Catholicism after the death of Edward VI.